Child diarrhea test items

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on April 14, 2025
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Pediatric diarrhea is a common disease in children characterized by an increase in stool frequency and specific stool shapes, caused by multiple pathogens and factors. Common tests for children with diarrhea start with routine stool tests. Stool culture is meaningful for identifying the pathogens causing diarrhea, and the latex agglutination test has diagnostic value for viral gastroenteritis. The stool-reducing sugar test primarily assesses malabsorption of disaccharides, lactose intolerance, etc. Counting and classifying white blood cells mainly clarify the presence of bacterial infections. Since diarrhea often accompanies electrolyte disturbances and dehydration, biochemical blood tests are necessary, and sometimes, X-rays of the abdominal plain film, ultrasound, endoscopy, and other examinations are needed.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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What medicine is used for enema in children with diarrhea?

Childhood diarrhea is a common symptom in children, characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and unformed stools. Enema is a common treatment method in pediatric clinical practice, where the medication is absorbed through the rectal veins to achieve therapeutic effects. The medication used for the enema should be based on the cause of the child's diarrhea. For instance, if the diarrhea is due to indigestion, medications for indigestion should be used for the enema. If the stool is watery, astringent and antidiarrheal medications should be administered. If the child’s diarrhea is caused by enteritis due to inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications are required for the enema. If it is caused by a viral factor, antiviral medications should be used. Therefore, the specific medication for the diarrhea enema needs to be adjusted according to the actual symptoms of the child.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Children's diarrhea is divided into two major categories.

Childhood diarrhea is categorized into infectious and non-infectious diarrhea. Common infectious diarrhea is caused by infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Non-infectious diarrhea often includes allergic diarrhea, diarrhea caused by food intolerance, and diarrhea due to lactose intolerance. Less commonly, some malignant diseases can cause gastrointestinal dysfunction leading to diarrhea. Among children, infectious diarrhea is more prevalent, especially viral diarrhea caused by rotavirus during the summer and autumn seasons. Additionally, bacterial infections such as those caused by Escherichia coli and Shigella (bacterial dysentery), often related to poor hand hygiene, are examples of infectious diarrhea.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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How should pediatric diarrhea be treated?

For childhood diarrhea, initially probiotics can be administered to adjust the intestinal flora, commonly used probiotics include Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus acidophilus. Next, it's important to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa, for which oral smectite powder can be given. Additionally, diarrhea can easily damage the gastrointestinal mucosa, so it's appropriate to supplement with zinc or folic acid to promote the repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is also important to ensure fluid replenishment to maintain hydroelectrolytic balance, commonly using oral rehydration salts which can replenish both fluids and electrolytes. Attention should also be paid to the child’s mental response and urinary output.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What causes diarrhea and fever in children?

Pediatric diarrhea is a group of diseases caused by multiple etiologies and factors, characterized by an increase in the frequency of defecation and changes in stool characteristics. Pediatric diarrhea can be accompanied by varying degrees of fever, primarily due to viral or bacterial infections. For example, clinically, infections with rotavirus can lead to high fever in children. Additionally, infections caused by various bacteria, such as bacterial dysentery, can increase the frequency of defecation and result in symptoms of bacterial toxicosis. In such cases, fever is also a symptom. Only when the infective factors are completely controlled can the body temperature return to a normal range.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can children with diarrhea eat noodles?

Children experience diarrhea because various factors cause disturbances in their gastrointestinal function, leading to malabsorption of nutrients. This manifests as a significant increase in the frequency of defecation and a noticeable change in the nature of the stool, even resulting in watery stools. When children have diarrhea, it is recommended to eat easily digestible, bland foods; noodles and porridge are good dietary options.